“Very secure indeed” – a missionary moment

I was a new missionary in North Africa, staying with my colleagues in their house. They went out of town, leaving me behind, and I was concerned about security. I went out to check on the security gate, to see that all was safe for the night. As I went out the front door, it blew shut behind me, and I was trapped in the front of the house between the door and the security gate. That gate was, indeed, nicely locked, and the house secured with strong bars!

I spoke no Arabic at all, and thought that I would have to live in this tiny front veranda for the next several days before my colleagues returned. I noticed there were neighbours in the complex, sitting outside eating, and I had no idea how to ask them for help! Eventually I just spoke in English, but they ignored me for a while before coming over to help, not understanding for some time. They had to call the cleaning lady, who had a key to the house, and even so had to break a window to get into the house. I felt so helpless but was grateful that they eventually realized my dilemma and I was released from my prison!
-South African missionary to North Africa